Blood Red Parrot, color has gone white

Question
Hi...I have had parrots for 6 years now, and my oldest who is 6 has rarely ever been sick..but, the last week she has gone totally white..she is normally a bright orange, her partner, 2 years younger is the bright orange...she has a little bit of a GT swollen eye, and doesn't seem to be eating...what can I do..I am finding no information on how to cure and what may be causing this...I changed the water a week ago, it's a 30 gallon tank, have the HOT Magnum pro filter, all pH, ammonia and nitrite and nitrate levels, I hadn't changed the water for I guess a month, maybe a 6 weeks, and I vacuum out the water, about a third of the way down, about 3-4 times...I do live in a new town, for the past 2 years and have really hard water, and don't know if that's been a problem, I can send a picture if you would like..oh, and the heater seems to be off...and I didn't realize for a couple of days, but, am in the process of getting a new heater...don't live in a big town, so have to mail order...but, it is maintaining, just have to have a spare in, and both where they show being too high, but maintaining an okay temp of 82. Just went and looked and her she seemed asleep got her up, but she was very slow and just seems sick...please help and let me know how I can help her...thanks...dottie winke and antoinette

Answer
Hi Dottie;

It sounds like your little gal has a condition known as "Pop Eye". It can really stress the fish out so they lose color and become lethargic  but it usually resolves itself within about 2 weeks. There are many possible causes; infection causing fluid buildup behind the eye, injury causing swelling, tumor, etc. I would guess that since it's only in one eye and it appeared suddenly it is probably from an injury. Fish will often jump or get startled, and we don't always see or hear it happen. Or, it could be from fighting. Parrots are cichlids and they can get a bit territorial and testy with one another. It can cause injuries that don't show up right away, including behind the eyes. Here are some pages that will help you know what to do to help her;

http://www.flippersandfins.net/pop-eye.htm

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/articles/article26.html

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/fish_palace/tropicalfish_disease_identification.h...

I hope she feels better soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins